Alabama Public Service Commission rates

The state's utility regulatory board has refused to reconsider its new rate structure for Alabama Power Co.

The Public Service Commission voted 2-1 Tuesday to reject a request by AARP to reconsider the rate plan. The vote was the same as the PSC's decision in August to approve the rate structure. The PSC's top attorney recommended rejecting AARP's request and said the organization for older Americans had not presented any new issues.

The state's utility regulatory board has scheduled three public meetings to discuss the rates of Alabama Gas. The Public Service Commission says the first meeting will be at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 5 at the PSC hearing room in Montgomery. Meetings are also planned for Sept. 25 and Oct. 9.

The PSC previously held hearings on rates for Mobile Gas and Alabama Power Co. Those meetings resulted in changes to the companies' rate structures. PSC members say consumers should see savings with their bills starting January.

Mobile Gas is going along with the Alabama Public Service Commission's adjustment to its rate structure, which will allow the new rates to go into effect in December.

The PSC voted in July to lower the range of return on equity for the natural gas utility that serves southwest Alabama. The range had been 13.35 percent to 13.85 percent, and the PSC lowered it to 10.45 percent to 10.95 percent.

The state Public Service Commission is starting a review of Alabama Power Co. rates.

The commission holds the first of a series of meetings Wednesday in Montgomery. The commission announced it will have a company overview and discuss the fundamentals of the rate structure on the opening day.

The commission recently wrapped up a similar review of Mobile Gas rates. The commission plans to make a decision about the company's natural gas rates on June 6.

The state's utility regulatory board has scheduled three meetings focusing on the rates for Alabama Power Co.

The Public Service Commission says the public meetings will be May 8, June 18 and July 17 in Montgomery. Each meeting will start at 8:30 a.m. at the PSC's headquarters. The PSC says the structure of each meeting will be announced later.

The PSC's rate stabilization plan for Alabama Power has provided the state's largest electric utility with a rate of return on common equity of 13 percent to 14.5 percent since 1982.